Parking Lot

Well, it's probably not necessarily a "crazy" situation, but one that I MIGHT be in in a few weeks. Hoping you guys can help a fella out.

I interviewed with the local college a few weeks ago for an I.T. position. I had applied for a couple of I.T. positions there, got interviewed for my "second choice" position and it sounds like they may be interested in hiring me. The pay isn't that great and I'm not sure what future I would have at the college, but it is much closer to home where as I'm currently driving an hour to work each day.

So I interviewed with an advertising company last week, and that seemed to go pretty well. I really liked them, loved the fact that they seem like a company that I can grow and advance my career with, and the opportunities seem limitless. However, their job hiring process on average is about four to six weeks.

So, let's say the college offers me the job I interviewed for (my second choice job from there) and then a week or two later, the advertising company offers me a job, what would you do? Would you accept the first job and then tell them, "Ya know, I got offered a job somewhere else, so sorry to bolt after a week", do you put them off for a week (probably not a great idea), or do you go on faith, turn down the college job and wait for the advertising company to get back in touch with you?

Keep in mind, at least I'm presently employed, so it's not like I would be left in the cold; I do have an option to fall back on.

Do you have wife? family? If so, tell them you would like to talk it over with the family and get back with them at the end of the week. Don't hold off waiting for something else because that something else may never arrive. Also, why are you down playing the college job? I work with a university, and we have great benefits and pay, AND we get 3 free classes (including books) a year. Also, once you are in with the state, it's much easier to move around within the state as well.

__________________ "So let me get this straight. We have the event of the year on TV with millions watching around the world... and people want a punt, pass, and kick competition to be the halftime entertainment?? Folks, don't quit your day jobs."- Matty

Take the job and wait to see what happens in a few weeks with advertising company.

This. Under no circumstances should you decline the college job (unless you like your current job better). You should also not tell them you need time to decide - they'll just hire someone else.

You should not feel bad for potentially accepting the college job, only to leave a couple weeks later to accept the advertising job. Companies have absolutely no loyalty to their employees. You can work somewhere for years and be laid off at a moments notice. The people you work with might feel bad, but the company wont. By the same token, you dont owe any of these companies anything.

Unless, you give them "your word" that you'll stay there for a certain amount of time, you should have no qualms about accepting the college job and leaving for something better.

If you think you may enjoy the advertising company more than the college, then consider trying to push the college off for a little time. As someone else mentioned asking for some time to think it over/talk to family is perfectly acceptable. Secondly, you could spend that week negotiating for more money/benefits. Even if the advertising job doesn't pan out, you may be making some extra cash every check!

This. Under no circumstances should you decline the college job (unless you like your current job better). You should also not tell them you need time to decide - they'll just hire someone else.

You should not feel bad for potentially accepting the college job, only to leave a couple weeks later to accept the advertising job. Companies have absolutely no loyalty to their employees. You can work somewhere for years and be laid off at a moments notice. The people you work with might feel bad, but the company wont. By the same token, you dont owe any of these companies anything.

Unless, you give them "your word" that you'll stay there for a certain amount of time, you should have no qualms about accepting the college job and leaving for something better.

I agree. I took a job once and the first two weeks my new boss was actually out of town. I was there for two more weeks before I quit.

Reason I quit was a week after I was hired by this company, ESPN called me. Few weeks of talking with ESPN and the rest was history.

So I mean I didn't know when I took the first job that I'd get an offer less than a month later from ESPN but I'm not turning that offer down.

I went in and told my boss this new offer had just come up and I was planning to take it...and he was pissed. "You're a sell out" "Remember karma is a bitch" "I was going to take you under my wing and mentor you" (He was the company CEO)

Yeah, that'll entice me to stay

Bottom line though-worry about yourself first and foremost

__________________You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

Thanks guys for your responses, all are much appreciated! Here's my thing, I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing to say, "let me talk it over with my wife and I'll give you an answer..." although I think what I would do is give them a specific day and time that I would notify them of my situation either way. I currently have a job, so if they decided that they couldn't wait, then so be it, it wasn't meant to be, I'm still employed.

As far as the specific position at the college, I'm not necessarily down playing it. At the time I applied, I was thinking in terms of how "fun" it would be working in a college atmosphere, and I still do think that way. However, when I went back to revisit the job openings, the college had posted another I.T. job that was much closer to what I was looking for AND the pay was nearly double! Part of me thinks MAYBE if I take the lesser job, I could easily move into the other I.T. position. HOWEVER, the I.T. department is made up of three people, and I tend to find by my own experience of working in a three man department that you may have to wait years before that job comes open. It's very similar to my situation now: one guy is the supervisor, other two are support staff. Really, the only difference would be driving 15 minutes to work rather than 50. I do like the idea of the state benefits, although I currently work for an agency with state benefits and it's not all what it's cracked up to be, except for the vacation time is pretty nice.

I got really good vibes from the advertising company, and I really liked the people I inteviewed with, and it's just as close to the house as the college. The position would have me doing more in development than what I'm doing now, which is something I wanted to get back into and at least have on my resume.

I may not get either job and it may all be a moot point, but I have only been in this situation once before and it was an easy choice back then. I took a job working for a furniture company and called by a rehab center (was in social services) and left the first job after three days. This one is a bit more complicated, because I'm wanting to advance on in my career, the sky's the limit in my mind, but I also want to do what is best for me, my wife, and our future kids.